Customer Reviews

Superstition and Other Essays

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Robert G. Ingersoll (1833-1899) was a giant of his time. Sadly, his life and work are known to only a few today. Even the most educated among us are unlikely to have ever heard of him. Ingersoll was many things: skilled lawyer, dynamic orator, progressive Republican and proud religious agnostic. Perhaps more importantly, he was a loving husband and father and a kind and gentle man.
His advice and counsel were sought by many Presidents and would be Presidents. Aside from a stint as Illinois Attorney General, he never held public office himself. His outspoken disavowal of his Christian background rendered him unelectable.
Yet thousands would happily flock to hear his fiery and riveting oratory as he travelled widely expounding on a number of topics. It has been said that in the pre-phonographic era his voice was heard by more Americans than that of any other individual.

This slim volume gives the reader a sampling of a few of Ingersoll's essays and speeches. Each is artfully written and together they illustrate his love of truth and beauty and his uncompromising hatred for unnecessary suffering, ignorance and hypocrisy. Perhaps the best selection is the first, entitled Why I am an Agnostic.

Ingersoll was ahead of his time and now, more than 100 years after his death, it is apparent he was ahead of our time as well. I can honestly say he is the only historical figure I have wished I could have met. For a thorough introduction to the life and humanistic philosophy of Robert G. Ingersoll, I suggest reading Robert G. Ingersoll, a Life by Frank Smith.

Read this over a couple weekends during semesters. Ingersoll is a very 'fluid' author, his use of simple language helps the reader move through his texts very quickly while still retaining his message. Whether one hates his ideas or not the fact that he knows how to use the English language well cannot be diputed. Highly recommend this book.

There are some great essays by Ingersoll intermixed with a few of his mediocre ones. Overall the read was very enjoyable. Its hard to disagree with the other editors above. The man was truly a spectacular writer and in my opinion would have been as famous as Mark Twain today if not for his religious beliefs. For those who haven't read any of his essays before they are written in an oratory style. You can really envision him speaking the words to a large crowd when you read them. My only criticism about the book is the editors choice of essays to include. He includes many great ones, but also left out other terrific essays that would have been better substitutes for a few he chose. On the upside the book does have a lot of essays compared to other similar books and also a few hard to find ones too. Overall I highly recommend the book, the problems aside its still a great read.